Sky announces live European Rugby coverage

Last Updated: 27/08/14 1:04pm

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Defending champions: Toulon will be determined to retain their title

Sky Sports will kick off its European Rugby Champions Cup coverage with the winners of last season’s Heineken Cup, Amlin Challenge Cup, Aviva Premiership, Top 14 and PRO12 all live during the first two rounds.

Viewers can enjoy 10 live matches across the first two weekends on Sky Sports, including Toulon – the reigning European rugby champions - opening their campaign at home to Scarlets, before an away trip the following week to Ulster.

Premiership champions Northampton Saints also feature live twice on Sky Sports; a trip to Paris for an opening weekend clash with Racing Métro, before a home match against Ospreys.

"The matches form part of our biggest ever season, which will for the first time include coverage of Top 14, Guinness PRO12 and Ireland’s Autumn Internationals. Add to our existing schedule of matches from here and abroad and rugby union fans with Sky Sports have never had it so good."

Gus Williamson

Sky Sports will show 16 teams from all six countries across the first two rounds, with Sale v Munster opening the coverage on Saturday 18th October. Sky Sports’ European Rugby Challenge Cup coverage begins with Gloucester Rugby at home to CA Brive on Thursday 16th October.

The European Rugby Champions Cup forms part of Sky Sports’ biggest ever rugby union season, offering viewers more than 360 live matches from the international, European and domestic game. Sky Sports will show 35 live matches from the new European competition, including the final from Twickenham in May.

Gus Williamson, executive producer of Sky Sports rugby union, said: “Our European schedule offers Sky Sports viewers many of the best players and best teams over the first two rounds. The matches form part of our biggest ever season, which will for the first time include coverage of Top 14, Guinness PRO12 and Ireland’s Autumn Internationals. Add to our existing schedule of matches from here and abroad and rugby union fans with Sky Sports have never had it so good. We can’t wait.”

Sky Sports will this season show more rugby union than ever before. Coverage kicks off this weekend with eight live matches from four competitions, including the opening fixtures from the Top 14 and Australia v All Blacks in the Rugby Championship.

The schedule comprises over 360 live matches from the international, European and domestic game, including England, Ireland, France and Italy home Autumn Internationals, Top 14, Guinness PRO12 plus international and domestic fixtures from the southern hemisphere. Sky’s commitment to women’s rugby includes live coverage of the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup.

The line-up of Sky Sports commentators and analysts includes some of the biggest names in rugby union with over 550 caps between them. Expert analysis is provided by Will Greenwood, Dewi Morris, Ieuan Evans, Scott Quinnell, Sean Fitzpatrick, Michael Lynagh, Shane Horgan and Paul Wallace. Coverage is presented by Alex Payne and James Gemmell with commentary from Stuart Barnes, Miles Harrison, Mark Robson and Johnnie Hammond. Additional faces will also appear in the Sky Sports rugby union studio throughout the season.

All of Sky Sports’ live matches will be available to watch in HD, on demand and on the go through Sky Go, the leading sports mobile TV service in the UK. To support the live match experience, Sky Sports customers can also benefit from the innovative Sky Sports smartphone and iPad apps, which offer additional viewing options and analysis.